There were contrasting emotions for Springbok flyhalves in the Premiership this weekend, as Robert du Preez helped Sale Sharks to a vital win, while Handre Pollard suffered another knock in his debut.

Premiership 

– Sale Sharks maintained their fine unbeaten start to the Premiership season with a dogged 28-20 victory over in-form Exeter Chiefs. Akker van der Merwe scored one of Sale’s three tries and beat three defenders from five carries.

Robert du Preez had an excellent performance at flyhalf for Sale, slotting two conversions and three penalties, while he also made 11 tackles and won a turnover. Tighthead prop Coenie Oosthuizen, lock Cobus Wiese and No 8 Dan du Preez started for the Sharks, with Jean-Luc du Preez and Jono Ross on the bench.

Exeter had Jannes Kirsten and Jacques Vermeulen in their starting back row, while lock Ruben van Heerden was among the substitutes.

– Saracens put their demons to bed by beating Leicester Tigers 51-18 in the sides’ first meeting since Tigers won last season’s Premiership final, to stay unbeaten this season and top of the table.

Handre Pollard made his debut for the Hanro Liebenberg-captained Leicester Tigers off the bench, but only lasted 27 minutes before he limped off with what appeared to be a knee strain.

Ivan van Zyl had an excellent outing as the starting scrumhalf for Saracens, completing 42 passes and picking up a try assist.

– Benhard Janse van Rensburg continued his sensational form to help London Irish claim a thrilling 47-38 victory over winless Bath.

The former Sharks and Cheetahs player made 33 metres from 10 carries, beat three defenders and assisted one try, while he also completed 13 tackles and won a turnover.

A host of South Africans were in action for Bath, including scrumhalf Louis Schreuder, loosehead prop Juan Schoeman, lock Quinn Roux and flanks GJ van Velze and Wesley White.

– Tian Schoeman kicked two penalties and two conversions as Newcastle Falcons picked up a first win of the season, stunning Bristol Bears 30-15.

– Harlequins repelled a Northampton Saints fightback at The Stoop to win 35-29 and move into fifth place. Tyron Green and Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw started for Harlequins. Green made 62m from nine carries, beat one defender and assisted one try.

No 8 Juarno Augustus was the only South African in action for Northampton. The big loose forward made 13 carries, beat three defenders and made 13 tackles.

Top 14

– Toulouse continued their excellent start to the season by beating defending champions Montpellier 19-17 to finish the round top of the table on Sunday. Springbok flank Rynhardt Elstadt started for Toulouse, but was yellow-carded towards the end of the first half.

Fell0w Springbok Nico Janse van Rensburg started at blindside flank for Montpellier.

– Springbok fullback Dillyn Leyds scored nine points from the tee as La Rochelle beat Racing 92 24-19 to go second in the Top 14.

Leyds, 30, kicked three conversions and a penalty as the European Champions Cup holders briefly went top of the table on Saturday after five rounds of the season.

Fellow Springbok Warrick Gelant debuted in the No 15 jersey for Racing, firing on attack as he made 59m, four passes and one linebreak.

– Brive climbed into the top six by holding out for a 25-22 win over Bayonne.

Uzair Cassiem scored a try off the bench for Bayonne, as the newly promoted team fell just short of a comeback victory.

– Clermont overpowered Lyon 43-20 for back-to-back wins in the Top 14. Arno Botha scored one of Lyon’s five tries.

– Toulon’s rollercoaster start to the season continued as they bounced back from last weekend’s loss to Perpignan by beating Pau 34-17.

Cornell du Preez started for Toulon.

– Flyhalf Tristan Tedder had another match-winning performance for Perpignan as he slotted three penalties to help his side claim a 14-10 win over Castres.

– Bordeaux claimed a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Stade Francais for just their second win of the season.

Stade had tighthead prop Nemo Roelofse in their starting lineup and three Saffas on the bench: lock JJ van der Mescht, scrumhalf James Hall and debutant centre Jeremy Ward.

Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images for Sale Sharks